Howdy All--

I consider myself lucky so far in being able to start in cold weather--she fires pretty nice down to -10. I don't have electricity available so I can't plug in or anything. All I do is cycle the pre-heather 3 times, put the pedal down a little as per instructions on the visor. Some colder weather is coming in this week (Wisconsin) and I just wanted to know if anyone has any suggestions as to other options. I have considered shooting my LP shop heater into the intake to try to introduce warmer air, but haven't done so yet. Anyone else in a similar situation? I can't really think of other things to do.....

 

I think the start sequence you are using pretty much does it. The only thing I do is cycle the heater and then wait about 30 seconds. Then re-key for another heat cycle. The 30 seconds lets the air in and around the grid get warm.. Good batteries are the key to any good cold start, oh and a good fuel additive to keep the juice flowing.

 

I definitely would be running 5w40 synthetic oil.

 

Bill has a very good suggestion regarding the oil.

Choosing your parking spot can be quite important too. Parking in the sun really makes a difference but doesn't help you first thing in the morning. Parking against a building that might have a few vent hoses can mean parking in much warmer air. And if it is windy and the truck won't be off long enough to fully cold soak it, parking out of the wind helps.

Otherwise, I think that you have it covered. I don't have a place to plug in either and have always gotten away with it. Both my roomate's and my truck sit out unplugged all the time and get started well below 0F often.

 

I myself live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and its supposed to get pretty cold. I added some extra cetane boost to help keep the fuel from gelling, and I also keep it parked in a pole shed. I am lucky enough to be able to plug it in... but cycling the grid heaters three times should be adaquate; and make sure that your batteries are in good enough conditions to get the cold beast to turn over.

 

I unfortunately am running 15-40 Amsoil, I don't know why I didn't get 5-40. Why does anyone use 15-40 in colder climates?

Am I causing damage in the 10min it takes to get the things on the way to warming up? A recent post asks about switching to 5-40 and replies speak of easier cranking.

Would you all be comfortable running 15-40 if plugged in?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

I used to run the same oil that you are and then switched to 5w40 for this winter. The difference is pretty small as far as I can tell. The amsoil 15w40 has a cold pour point that is only something like 3C great than the 5w40. If it keeps starting and running fine, I would leave it and try the thinner oil next winter.

 

When I switched from 15w40 to 0w40 (couldn't find 5w40 at the time), it was like night and day in the way it cranked.

 

i run 15w-40 amsoil in my 97 year round and havent had any problems starting yet. its usually always plugged in with some Power Service cetane boost in the tank. im not worried about it not starting in the cold temps but with it plugged in it's a night and day difference on the cranking speed. mucho easier on the batteries IMO. just hope for the best for the rest of the winter i guess bud. if all else fails you could always run a honda generator to keep the ol' girl warm

 

I'm old school.. Run dino 15W40 in the summer and 0W40 in the winter. Full synthetic is the only way to fly at sub zero temps. All the heat in the block from the Espar or block heater won't heat the oil in the tin pan down in the snow. You need good flowing oil on start.

 

Relax...

The 15W40 Diesel and Marine Amsoil has a pour point of -44F. Yes, a 5W30 synthetic is better - but it depends on which one you are talking about, and in most cases, it only marginally better.

Even though this is technically a 15W40 oil, Amsoil puts an additive in to reduce the pour point which makes it the same or better than a 5W40 or even 0W40. Ive ran them ALL and there is very little difference between Amsoil Diesel & Marine 15w40 and the thinner weights. This is a catch 22 - Ive ran the 0W40 year round - dont like it in the summer - I feel its to thin. Ive ran 0W40 full syn in the winter and dino 15w40 in the summer. I end up wasting oil that has WAY too few miles on it. I dont care for the multilevel marketting sales pitch of Amsoil, but it can actually save money as you can run it for a year instead of dumping perfectly good oil in the spring and fall.

Unless you live in a very cold environment - the 15W40 will work fine for you.